Cyrus Christie | I am hungry to show what I can bring to Swansea City

Cyrus Christie is hungry to show Swansea City exactly what he can do after sealing a loan move to the Swansea.com Stadium.

The 29-year-old defender joins from Fulham for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, subject to international clearance.

You can click the play icon to view his first interview with SwansTV in full.

The Republic of Ireland international brings vast Championship experience having featured for Coventry, Derby, Middlesbrough, Fulham and Nottingham Forest in the division, twice securing promotion via the play-offs with the Cottagers.

Christie bolsters head coach Russell Martin’s options following Ethan Laird’s recall, and the full-back or wing-back cannot wait to get down to work after the frustration of a lack of game time at Craven Cottage so far this term.

“I am buzzing that it is done and I am really happy to be here,” he said.

“I am looking forward to playing some football again, I spoke to the manager and straight away he almost made my mind up for me.

“It’s always great when a manager rings you and outlines everything he wants from you and how he sees you fitting in.

“He spoke about his ideas and as a footballer it goes a long way when you feel wanted by a manager.

“This is a big club, playing brilliant football. I thought Swansea did really well at Fulham, it’s about those fine margins in the Championship and I hope I can bring some experience to the team, because it’s a young team that is going places and playing football the right way.”

Christie has built a reputation as an energetic wide player, able to get up and down the flanks effectively.

He has been a regular provider of assists through his career, but also possesses the speed and defensive solidity at the other end of the pitch.

And the man himself is determined to play his football for Swansea City in a positive, front-foot fashion.

“I like to get forward and get assists, that has maybe been what I have made my career on,” he added.

“When you do that some people do question your defensive side, but I have the numbers to back it up.

“But as an attacking player growing up, it was about getting forward and I feel I can create chances and provide assists.

“I am a front foot player, I like to be on the front foot and I want to get up to match sharpness as quick as possible and fit right in and show my quality.

“It has been a tough time recently where I have not been able to show my full ability. The opportunity has been hard to come by, so I want to come here and show that quality and prove it.

“I want to help the lads push up the league, and this is a league where anything can happen, especially with those games in hand.”

While Swans fans will be hoping Christie can bring success on the field, he has also received deserved plaudits for his work off it.

Coventry-born Christie has his own community initiative – the Cyrus Christie Foundation – which aims to bring about proactive social change to help inspire the next generation.

He was named on the 2021 Football Black List, which recognised the UK’s most influential individuals from the black community working within football.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Arsenal’s Nikita Parris were also among those to receive the ‘Players off the Pitch’ accolade.

Christie was proud to be recognised, but says there is still much work to be done.

“I started the foundation maybe 18 months to two years ago, with a guy from Coventry, and he was able to help me put things in place to help it grow and help more people,” he said.

“My end goal is to create a scholarship foundation that helps people who are underprivileged and maybe don’t have the opportunities other people get to push through and succeed in their dreams.

“It’s not just people who want to be footballers, there are people who want to be musicians, to be lawyers, to go to university and find those opportunities.

“There are many people who don’t get the chance to get to certain places. It’s about giving them the platform to reach their dreams and inspire the next generation.

“Of course, I was proud of being named on the Black List, it is great to be recognised among such great names and, like I said, it’s about being able to help people.

“Obviously, Marcus Rashford has a bigger platform than me, but we are slowly making changes and you can see it.

“It’s one of the biggest achievements you can have, to put smiles on people’s faces and give them the opportunity that you did not have when you were younger.

“This world is about the next generation, they are coming up and need the opportunity to succeed.

“It was an honour to be named amongst such a group of people.”